Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Long semester already?

The spring semester is always really difficult to get into, we come back and have a day of recollection, Martin Luther King Day off and the March for Life and it is hard to get into a good rhythm. In any case, things are going very well, although I have lots of things to do. I ran into some issues making the DVD for Guatemala and have to re-record some things which I am not happy about since it means I basically have to start all over again :( I am also working on a DVD project here at the seminary which should be able to challenge my skills, but luckily I am working with another extremely talented seminarian who will help out in some of the editing department on his PC.

Classes are going really well, I have learned quite a bit about how I talk (or should I say tawk) in my preaching class and am just about to the stage where we have our first exams and papers due, so I am sure I will be MIA for a bit again.

The March for Life was really great to attend (I try to go every year), although it seemed like it took longer to get started this year or maybe I just was cold and wanted to get moving. I have always enjoyed the youth Mass that precedes the march, it is wonderful to see so many young people (they fill the MCI Center every year) as well as the various seminaries that are represented. I got to see a couple of recent St. Mary's graduates come back from Worcester and Syracuse to be a part of the group of priests that vests for the Mass which is always nice to see.

I have been spending Mondays and Wednesdays in the parish (Immaculate Conception) and visiting primary care facilities to have communion services and visit some of those who cannot make it down to the service to bring them the Blessed Sacrament and just chat with them a while. I also have begun a catechetical program with a woman in one of the homes who wants to become Catholic which has been quite fulfilling for me. I love having the scholastic work, but being able to spend time with these people really helps me to be motivated.

I don't think I wrote about it, but I lost a bet last year to a dear friend and ex-co-worker from St. Louis last year when my beloved New York Metropolitans lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Well the bet was to show up in our city with the opposing teams cap on, and I just thought that it was only fair that I shared the picture with everyone, hopefully seeing that I am a good sport and that it is only a game... and I still beat you in fantasy baseball Jon (and fantasy football and pick 'em), so who has the last laugh now? and don't you forget it! :) (Yahoo! ID required for link)

The Super Bowl is this weekend and the party should be pretty good in the Donnelly, I decided to stay in house this year to be a little more cost effective, but we will be having wings, egg rolls, meatballs, nachos, giant subs, I think I am going to make some quesadillas and of course lots of soda and beer. I will be happy with whoever wins, but since I am usually a fan of the underdog and the NFC I may pull for da Bears. If Ditka were to play God who would win... I think God takes it on a late field goal... ooooo.

Well my friends, it is time to go and start my day, what can I say, I need coffee... and your moment of zen this week is in honor of the super bowl... the best commercial ever.